Attitude and maneuvering control for ground effect machines



INVENTOR.

M. HART THOMAS DESMOND EARL JACK J. M. HART ETAL ATTITUDE AND MANEUVERING CONTROL FOR GROUND EFFECT MACHINES Filed NOV. 22, 1965 March 22. 1966 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,241,627 ATTITUDE AND MANEUVERING CONTROL FOR GROUND EFFECT MACHINES Jack M. Hart, Lockport, and Thomas Desmond Earl,

Niagara Falls, N.Y., assignors to Bell Aerospace Corporation, Wheat-field, NY.

Filed Nov. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 325,632 8 Claims. (Cl. 180-7) This invention relates to vehicles adapted for travel over land, water and the like; and relates more particularly to vehicles of the type known as ground effect machines and, more especially, to novel means for attitude and maneuvering control thereof.

In a ground effect machine, means are provided to produce a cushion of superatmospheric air acting between a reaction surface and the bottom of the vehicle; such cushion of superatmospheric air being built and maintained by some means associated with the vehicle or machine. The instant invention relates to that type of machine wherein the means for building and maintaining the cushion of superatmospheric air comprises a peripheral nozzle which circumscribes a predetermined bottom surface area of the vehicle so that the air cushion therebelow is effective to lift and support the vehicle for movement as aforesaid.

Generally speaking, in machines of this type, it is desirable to provide means for producing both pitch and roll control effects, so that the vehicle may be easily controlled and maneuvered; and it is a primary object of this invention to provide improved means in a ground effect machine as aforesaid which is effective to control in improved manner the pitch and roll motions of the craft.

Another object of this invention is to produce a means for pitch and/ or roll control of a ground effect machine, which eliminates the problem of variable loadings such as are imposed, in the case of prior machine designs, on the fan or fans producing the peripheral air curtain incidental to adjustments of the pitch and roll control systems.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved control system as aforesaid employing airstream deflecting vane elements having very low hinge-moments and thus requiring only small forces for their operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved control system in a ground effect machine which is more readily responsix e to pilot control adjustments than those known to the prior art, so as to greatly facilitate the maneuverability of the vehicle.

Generally speaking, the above objectives and others are accomplished by the provision of airstream flow control means which avoids throttling of the air, but instead redirects or diverts portions of the same while maintaining substantially constant overall flow volume, while at the same time utilizing the redirected portions for more effective control of the craft.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the description 'hereinbelow and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken through the vehicle substantially along the plane of section line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but taken along the plane of section line 33 in FIG. 1; showing the flow redirection control means in operation and its effect on the attitude of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the machine with portions of the side walls thereof broken away to illustrate 3,241,627 Patented Mar. 22, 1966 the relative disposition of the various control members which may be associated therewith, and also showing the disposition of stabilizing slots; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of one of the air fiow control vanes of the mechanism.

As in shown in FIGS. 1-3 inclusive, the vehicle 10 is provided with a deck 12 having an opening 14 provided with a shroud 16 which houses a suitable fan assembly indicated generally by the reference character 18, and which is adapted to induct air into the interior of the vehicle for ultimate discharge as a peripheral jet as hereinafter more particularly pointed out. Simply by way of example, to illustrate an operative vehicle embodiment, the same is provided with a cockpit 20 in the fore portion of its deck 12 in which the pilot and other personnel may be housed during operation. Further, a propulsion device such as a ducted fan or its equivalent 22 is shown mounted at the aft portion of the deck 12, and it is preferred that this assembly 22 be also mounted for rotation about a vertical axis for effecting not only propulsion but also steering forces. It is to be understood that the foregoing arrangements need not necessarily be strictly adhered to, since the present invention is not concerned with these general arrangements, but is directed to the vehicle attitude control means which will be presently set forth in detail.

Supported beneath the deck 12 in spaced relationship thereto are shown a plurality of water-tight compartments as indicated by reference characters 24 and 26 in FIGS. 2 and 3; it being noted that the structure may be shaped to also provide a compartment or housing 28 containing an internal combustion engine 30 or the like connected through drive shaft 32 to the aforementioned fan 18 for driving the same. It will be further noted that the compartments 24 and 26 may be disposed slightly apart fore and aft of the compartment 28 to provide slots 31, 31 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4; the purpose of the slots being for stabilization of the vehicle as will be hereinafter more particularly set forth.

The spacing between the deck 12 and the ceilings of the compartments 24 and 26 defines a plenum chamber 33 into which the fan 18 discharges, so that flow of air is first downwardly and then laterally in all directions therefrom as indicated by the arrows 34 in FIG. 2. The vehicle hull is provided with a circumferentially or peripherally extending and depending outer side wall 36 which is provided with an inwardly directed lower edge portion 38, substantially as is shown. An inner wall 40 depends from the side walls of the compartments 24 and 26 extending peripherally or circumferenti'ally therearound, and this inner wall 40 is likewise provided with an inwardly directed bottom edge portion 42 disposed in opposition to the inwardly directed portion 38 of the outer wall 36 but inclined slightly with respect thereto. Thus, the lower edge portions 38, 42 of the wall assemblies 36 and 4t define therebetween a restricted nozzle or mouth 44 extending along the lower edges of the wall assemblies and peripherally of the vehicle hull, which is adapted to discharge a curtain of fluid downwardly and inwardly against a reaction surface such as the body of water 46 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3; to build and maintain a cushion of superatmospheric air within the confines of such curtain which acts upon the undersurface of the machine defined by the bottom surfaces of the compartments 24 and 26, to elevate and support the machine above the reaction surface 46, as is shown in FIGS. 2, 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a typical control means arrangement of the present invention for controlling pitch and roll attitudes of the vehicle. As shown therein, the pitch control means are indicated by reference characters 50, 52 and 54, whereas the roll control means are indicated by reference characters 56 and 53. Each of these control members preferably takes the form of an arcuate vane as indicated generally at 60 (FIGS. 2, 3, and includes an arcuate deflector plate portion 63 and opposite end plates 74 and 76 upon which are mounted lever arms 78 and 8G and hinge pins 82; whereby the members 60 may be pivotally mounted upon the hull structure to swing about the centers of curvature of the arcuate portions 63 thereof. The positions of the vanes 60 are pilotcontrolled through means (not shown) connected to the lever arms 78, 80. As is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferred that the members 60 be in end view of quadrant form and selectively movable between the normal or closed positions shown in FIG. 2 to positions such as shown at the right-hand side of FIG. 3 for partially blocking the passage of air downwardly through the ducts 62 formed between the inner and outer wall portions 36 and 4t thus reducing the volume flow through that section of the peripheral nozzle.

It is, however, a particular feature of this invention that whenever one of the control vanes 60 is swung to such a position of partially blocking the associated passage or duct 62, that the overall mass volume of air flowing through the system is not throttled or reduced by such deflection of the control means; but that, instead, the same substantially constant mass volume of air is permitted to flow by virtue of the fact that the control vane involved in the control action incidentally uncovers an associated slot such as one of those indicated by reference characters 64, (56, 68, 74B and 72 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3). It will be appreciated that in ground effect machines, the force of the jet or curtain issuing from the mouth 44 is insuflicient in and or itself to lift the vehicle bodily from the reaction surface but that the operation relies instead upon the building and maintaining of a cushion of superatmospheric air acting between the reaction surface 46 and the bottom of the vehicle circumscribed by the peripheral nozzle of mouth 44. However, some lifting force is contributed by impingement of the jet curtain issuing from the mouth 44, and therefor when a control vane 60 at say one side of the vehicle is moved to deflecting position as shown at the right hand side of FIG. 3, the left force thereat will be somewhat reduced and that side of the vehicle will consequently tend to lower, thereby producing a vehicle rolling effect.

In the case of vehicles which are of relatively large dimensions the total volume of cushion producing air flow involved is considerable, and therefore the roll effect achieved by attenuation of the curtain as aforesaid would not of itself be sufficient and sensitive enough for good control performance. However, in accordance with the present invention, the air which is thus deflected by the vane 60 upwardly is allowed to escape as through the corresponding slot 68 (FIG. 3) and thereby imparts a downwardly directed reaction force on that side of the vehicle thus augmenting the previously described roll control effect and making the control of the craft suitably sensitive and positive and providing greatly increased maneuverability. At the same time, the total mass volume of air flowing through the system is not throttled back or otherwise adversely affected by reason of the fact that the slot 68 is opened by such amount as to permit the same volume of air to flow outwardly therethrough as is blocked from passage through the duct 62. Hence, no pressure changes are felt within the plenum chamber 33 such as would affect the operation of the fan 18.

Therefore, in the case of the present invention, the fan 18 may be maintained to operated at or near its maximum output rpm. at all times; whereas in systems involving restriction of flow such as would be occasioned by mere throttling of the flow through the passages 62, pressure surges would develop in the plenum chamber 33 so that the fan or fans could not operate at maximum efficiency. In such cases the fan blades themselves might be caused to operate under conditions of aerodynamic stall. However, with the present system not only is the control means rendered more positive in action and subject to less lag; but also the mass volume of air flow is unaltered by operation of the control means as explained hereinabove, so that the fan or fans may at all times operate at maximum efliciency, including those periods while the craft is being maneuvered.

As previously stated, the slots 31 are provided for effecting increased stabilization of the craft, and they also may serve to build up the cushion of superatmospheric air beneath the vehicle more rapidly than would occur otherwise. In addition to the longitudinally or fore and aft extending slot 31 as is shown in FIG. 4, a transverse, generally centrally located slot 84 may also be provided. In any case, the effect of the slot or slots, as the case may be, is to divide the cushion of superatmospheri'c air into discrete and distinct sections so that collapse or reduction of any section or portion of such cushion will not affect the others and will, consequently, permit of greater stabilization of the craft.

It is to be understood that certain changes and modifications as illustrated and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

ll. in a ground effect machine of the type having a body presenting a bottom in opposition to a reaction surface,

downwardly directed nozzle means surrounding said bottom for directing a peripheral curtain of fluid against a reaction surface to build and maintain a cushion of higher-than-atmospheric air beneath and reacting against said bottom to support said body,

said body having a plenum chamber communicating laterally with said nozzle means,

said body having upwardly directed openings in at least portions thereof above said nozzle means for communicating said plenum chamber with atmosphere,

and deflector means normally covering said openings and being movable to simultaneously uncover said openings and at least partially block a portion of said plenum chamber leoding to said nozzle means.

2. A ground effect machine comprising, in combination,

a body having depending inner and outer side walls extending peripherally therearound with such Walls being constricted at their lower edges to define a peripheral nozzle,

means for delivering outside air to said peripheral nozzle including a chamber in said body leading to the space between said inner and outer side walls,

said body having upwardly directed openings therein above said side walls for communicating said chamber with atmosphere,

and arcuate valve plates pivotally attached to said body for movements between a position completely covering said openings and a position uncovering said openings and partially blocking the space between said side walls.

3. In a ground effect machine,

a body having spaced decks defining a plenum chamber therebetween and spaced inner and outer walls extending peripherally around said decks with the space between such inner and outer walls communicating with said plenum chamber,

means for forcing air into said plenum chamber,

nozzle means at the lower edges of said walls for directing a peripheral curtain of air downwardly against a reaction surface,

roll control valves disposed at opposite sides of said body, each valve comprising an arcuate plate normally disposed in position to smoothly direct air from the plenum chamber downwardly between said Walls and movable to positions partially blocking such passage of air,

means for selectively moving said valves,

and the upper of said decks having upwardly directed openings for communicating said plenum chamber with atmosphere and normally closed by said valves when the same are in the first mentioned positions and open when said valves are in the second mentioned positions.

4. In a ground elfect machine,

a body having a deck and outer depending side walls extending peripherally therearound,

hollow flotation means spaced below said deck and forming a plenum chamber therewith, said flotation means being spaced inwardly therearound from said outer side walls,

inner side walls extending peripherally around and depending from said flotation means,

the lower edges of said inner and outer side walls being closely spaced to define a restricted peripheral discharge mouth for directing a curtain of air downwardly against a reaction surface,

means for forcing air into said plenum chamber,

said deck having marginally extending, upwardly directed openings therein aligned above the space between said inner and outer side Walls for communicating said plenum chamber with atmosphere,

valve means at opposite sides and fore and aft of said body for selectively opening and closing said openings while at the same time respectively partially blocking and opening the passages defined between said side walls.

5. In a ground effect machine of the type having a body presenting a bottom in opposition to a reaction surface,

downwardly directed nozzle means disposed marginally of said bottom for directing fluid against a reaction surface to build and maintain a cushion of higherthan atmospheric air beneath and reacting against said bottom to support said body,

said body having a plenum chamber communicating with said nozzle means,

means for forcing fluid into said plenum chamber,

said plenum chamber having upwardly directed openings in at least portions thereof above said nozzle means,

and deflector vane means normally covering said open portions of the chamber and being movable to simultaneously uncover said open portions and at least partially block a portion of the fluid flow to said nozzle means.

6. A ground effect machine comprising, in combination,

a body having depending inner and outer side walls extending peripherally therearound with such walls being constricted at their lower edges to define a downwardly directed peripheral nozzle,

means for delivering outside air to said peripheral nozzle including a chamber in said body leading to the space between said inner and outer side walls,

said chamber having upwardly directed openings therein at positions above said peripheral nozzle,

and valve devices normally covering each side opening and pivotally attached to said body to simultaneously uncover said opening and at least partially block the associated space between said side walls.

7. In a ground effect machine,

a body having vertically spaced decks defining a plenum chamber therebetween and spaced inner and outer side walls extending peripherally around said decks with the space between such inner and outer walls communicating with said plenum chamber,

means for forcing air into said plenum chamber,

nozzle means at the lower edges of said walls for directing a peripheral curtain of air downwardly against a reaction surface,

the upper of said decks having openings therethrough,

roll control valves disposed at opposite sides of said body, each valve comprising an arcuate plate normally disposed in position to close an associated opening and to smoothly direct air from the plenum chamber downwardly between said walls and movable to positions partially blocking such passage of air and at the same time uncovering the associated of said openings,

and means for selectively moving said valves.

8. In a ground eflect machine,

a body having a deck and outer depending side walls extending peripherally therearound,

hollow flotation means spaced below said deck and forming a plenum chamber therewith, said flotation means being spaced inwardly therearonnd from said outer side walls,

inner side walls extending peripherally around and depending from said flotation means,

the lower edges of said inner and outer side walls being closely spaced to define a restricted peripheral discharge mouth for directing a curtain of air downwardly against a reaction surface,

means for forcing air into said plenum chamber,

said deck having marginally disposed openings therein directed upwardly and aligned above the space between said inner and outer side walls,

and valve means at opposite sides and fore and aft of said body for selectively opening and closing said openings while at the same time respectively partially blocking and opening the passages defined between said side walls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,106,261 10/1963 Mackie 180-7 3,180,939 4/ 1964 Alper et a1. 1 --7 "3,150,732 9/1964 Walker -7 FOREIGN PATENTS 893,715 4/ 1962 Great Britain.

60 BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A GROUND EFFECT MACHINE OF THE TYPE HAVING A BODY PRESENTING A BOTTOM IN OPPOSITION TO A REACTION SURFACE, DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED NOZZLE MEANS SURROUNDING SAID BOTTOM FOR DIRECTING A PERIPHERAL CURTAIN OF FLUID AGAINST A REACTION SURFACE TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A CUSHION OF HIGHER-THAN-ATMOSPHERIC AIR BENEATH AND REACTING AGAINST SAID BOTTOM TO SUPPORT SAID BODY, SAID BODY HAVING A PLENUM CHAMBER COMMUNICATING LATERALLY WITH SAID NOZZLE MEANS, SAID BODY HAVING UPWARDLY DIRECTED OPENINGS IN AT LEAST PORTIONS THEREOF ABOVE SAID NOZZLE MEANS FOR 